Press Release - Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon - 6/10/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  Huge Cash Boost Could Attract Some of the World's Best Marathon Runners

After a great recent development regarding results of the elite runners as 
well as numbers of participants organisers of the Dresdner Kleinwort 
Frankfurt Marathon now take the next step to develop their race into one of 
the world's leading road running events. When Germany's oldest city 
marathon will be staged for the 27th time on 26th October a record prize 
money is on offer. With a cash boost the 'IAAF Silver Label Road Race' 
should become even more attractive for the world's best marathon runners.

"Now it is really getting exciting. We will do everything we can to further 
improve the quality of the Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon," said 
Race Director Jo Schindler when announcing the new prize money structure at 
a press conference in Frankfurt. With the support of the title sponsor 
Dresdner Kleinwort the winner of the race can now earn up to 95,000 Euros. 
This will be the prize money provided the fastest man clocks a sub 2:07 
time on the fast course. The women's champion will receive the same amount 
if her winning time is sub 2:22:30.

"Because of the attractive prize money we expect runners who are able to 
achieve times of sub 2:07 to consider running the Dresdner Kleinwort 
Frankfurt Marathon this year. Managers have already recognized this. So I 
hope our race will get another boost concerning the international 
significance," said Christoph Kopp, who is in charge of putting together 
the elite field for the race. One of his major targets obviously is to sign 
Wilfred Kigen again. The Kenyan had won last year's race with a course 
record of 2:07:58. He could win the Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon 
for a record fourth time in a row. "We are negotiating at present. And I am 
optimistic that Wilfred Kigen will return once again," said Christoph Kopp. 
Defending champion Melanie Kraus (Germany) might also run the Dresdner 
Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon again. While her winning time was 2:28:56 in 
2007 the course record stands at 2:25:12.

Present entry figures are up by around 10 percent compared to a year ago. 
In 2007 a record number of 11,507 marathon runners had entered the race. 
Adding all other running events the total field had 18,302 athletes. If 
demand remains strong the Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon could reach 
the 20,000 barrier for the first time. Close to 300,000 spectators are 
expected to line the course again. 

For more information please visit www.frankfurt-marathon.com.

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